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Altar’d State is where fashion and faith come together. It is an energetic retail concept offering a unique shopping experience for the women interested in fashion for herself and accessories for her home. She can be 16, or she can be 60. The common thread: she wants appropriate, comfortable and on-trend clothes, shoes and accessories. She wants to shop in an upbeat, high-energy environment that promotes confidence and thoughtfulness. Altar’d State is more than a store, it’s a movement.

 

Altar’d State gives back by supporting charitable causes in each community. She can enjoy shopping at Altar’d State and feel good about helping others. Through what is known as Mission Mondays, the company donates 10% of the net proceeds to charity. Doing what’s right comes naturally to the family of employees at Altar’d State. They are at the heart of the company’s commitment to social and environmental good.

 

The company looks for similar values in vendor partners. TOMS is a one-for-one company that gives a free pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair purchased. FashionABLE scarves provide sustainable business and a choice to extraordinary women in Ethiopia. Diana Warner New York offers the Obligato Collection, and each necklace purchased helps provide clean water for 10 people in Africa for a year.

 

The store is expected to open its doors on Monday, June 6, 2011. It will be the fourth store in the Altar’d State family.

 

Altar’d State is a uniquely different Christian retailer, called to enrich lives and make a positive impact in our communities by growing a business for His glory.

 

Altar’d State is a division of Walters & Mason Retail Inc. The company’s home office is located in Knoxville, Tennessee. Aaron Walters, Chairman and CEO, and Brian Mason, President and CFO, developed the store concept in April 2009, to fill a gap in the retail industry. Mr. Walters and Mr. Mason are veterans of the retail industry and both were previously employed by Goody’s Family Clothing, based in Knoxville, Tennessee.

 

Mr. Walters has also held executive positions at Walmart, May Department Stores, and Walgreens. He has twelve years of proven leadership managing cross-functional teams responsible for multi-billion dollar divisions.

 

Mr. Mason brings 16 years of retail leadership experience from companies such as Kohl’s Department Stores, Saks Department Stores, and Mercantile Stores, in addition to Goody’s.

 

The company currently operates stores in Knoxville, Tennessee and Birmingham, Alabama. A store is slated to open in Huntsville, Alabama in late May. Further growth is planned with stores in Dothan, Alabama; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Rogers, Arkansas; and Jackson, Mississippi.